First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Iryna Akimova visited the USA on a working visit on 4 and 5 April, 2012. During the visit, Ms. Akimova took part in “Can Ukraine Reform?” conference, organized by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, an influential American think tank.

Ms. Akimova delivered a Keynote Address, in which she told about the progress of systematic economic reforms initiated by President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, achievements of the Government of Ukraine, challenges on the way to reform the Ukrainian economy and means of their overcoming.

The Keynote Address focused on macroeconomic stabilization in our country, fighting corruption, introduction of unpopular social reforms needed to ensure reliable growth of Ukrainian economy and modernization of our state in accordance with challenges of today.

The conference was attended by representatives of U.S. Administration, NGOs and business circles. During open discussion, government measures aimed at economic reforms and improvement of business climate were positively noted, while American experts pointed to most pressing problems faced by Ukraine.

On 4 April, 2012, Ms. Akimova had a meeting with USAID Acting Administrator Hilda M. Arellano. They discussed improvement of efficiency of U.S. technical assistance provided to Ukraine.

The American side briefed Ms. Akimova about U.S. Administration’s priorities for 2012. Special attention was paid to cooperation in healthcare. Ms. Akimova noted the need for continued implementation of Maternal and Infant Health project in Ukraine. In turn, USAID management paid attention to Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS projects.

On 5 April, 2012, Ms. Akimova had meetings with U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Under Secretary for International Affairs Lael Brainard and Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Robert D. Hormats. She also participated in a meeting with representatives of leading American companies operating in Ukraine. These meetings were dedicated to the implementation of systematic economic reforms by Ukraine, bilateral Ukrainian-American cooperation and measures to improve business and investment climate in Ukraine.